Parmesan Garlic Herb Bread

Baking good bread at home has been quite a bit of challenge. I have tried my hand at it couple of times and I don’t say I had great success. Some times they turned out good and other times, total flop. But it is definitely something I always loved to learn. So here was a golden opportunity for me.

Our friend Cindy had called us for lunch few days ago. When we reached her home, out-of-the-world delicious aroma of bread baking invited us. She served us just-out-of-oven bread which was one of the tastiest breads I have ever had. I could not believe she had baked such good bread. So I asked her for the recipe.

She sent it to me and I baked it last week. When I started with it and the dough beautifully rose,I knew it was going to be a success. As expected, it was absolutely delicious. I gave it a foccacia bread shape and topped with olives. That was my personal touch, it is great as simple bread sticks too.

I made the bread with half the measurements given below, i.e. half the quantity.

Method:
Dissolve yeast in warm water in large bowl. Add oil, sugar, 3 and 1/2 cups flour. Mix until smooth. Let sponge rest about 20 minutes. (At this stage, the dough is very sticky)
Mix down, add salt, garlic, seasonings and basil. Stir in more flour until it is easy to handle. Knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes by hand).
Leave it overnight(I left it sit just for 1 hr instead of overnight) and next day, take out, Shape into loaves. I made it into 4 bread sticks and 1 foccacia (as I said, I had used half the quantity)
Place into greased baking pans or sheets. Cover with towel and let rise until doubled in size. Approx 1 hour.
I sprinkled them with some parmesan cheese and olives. Also drizzled some olive oil on top.
Preheat the oven at 350F for about 10mins. Bake for 30-35mins at 350F or till it is done.
I served it with marinara sauce, topped it with red chili flakes while serving. But it tastes on its own too.

Oh my! I think I can cancel that “beginner’s bread-making post” I was going to do for you…once…a long time ago….seems like years ago! 😀 I think with this and that French bread you are better than me! I touch your feet Shilpa…

Shilpa: Please post it Pel !. I got this recipe right…but I still cant say I know the basics. It will be very helpful for me. I want to make the sandwich bread loaf(the kind available in market) :). (Someone recently told me I am too ambitious in knitting…I think it applies to cooking too 😉 ).

Aruna

I am sure if, i follow the instructions it is going to be a super hit. We all love garlic bread. I am going to try this on the weekend. As Maya said some jalapeÃ±os will also do a good job. Luckily i have the sun dried tomatoes too from Trader Joe’s, sitting for a long time, waiting to be used.
One question. Is this to be baked in the jelly roll pans or any other baking tray will do?

Cindy

I think your bread came out much prettier and better than the one I made! I am very excited to add the olives and try a few of the variations suggested here. I love sun-dried tomatoes and jalapeÃ±os but never thought of trying them in this recipe! I think my husband will soon be sick of bread!

I absolutely loved the olives idea of the bread, it makes it look so very italian…i’m a great fan of yor and keep checking for your new recipies…can you tel me a good way to bake it in a micro, as this recipe in the micro tuns out a little moist?

Btw i have added you as my favs. in my site…would love it if you visit my site sometime.

Nilanjana

Shilpa: Nilanjana, did you use “convention mode” for baking? I don’t think bread can be baked at normal microwave mode(not sure).

carolyn Webb

Preeti

I tried making bread for the first time yesterday following your recipe – actually 2 recipes – the one above and that of cheddar bread. I also halved the qty mentioned in the measurements, added cheddar cheese along with parmesan cheese, some fresh rosemary and basil that I had along with red pepper flakes. I kneaded the dough and let it rise twice…great great taste!

Susmita

Thanks for all your recipes. They turn out delicious and motivates one for trying new stuff. I had a question: When you say leave it overnight, does it mean leave it out at room temp or in the refrigerator?

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Hey, Nice to meet you!
I'm Shilpa : a foodie and a food blogger, a Software Engineer, a mom of two young kids. We live in Kansas, USA, born and brought up in India. Love gardening, knitting and crocheting, art and crafts. This blog is to preserve my Aayi's (Varada, my mom who also blogs here) Recipes and cooking methods as well share my adventures with cooking. Learn more